A federal judge on Thursday denied former United States President Donald Trump's request to delay paying the $83.3 million fine in relation to the E. Jean Carroll case.
The development means that the Republican businessman has up until Monday to pay the money that owes the writer or post a bond. Trump has sought to postpone the payments on the penalties following two recent courtroom losses in New York. This is because the amount could leave him to face a severe cash crunch.
Delaying Payment of $83.3 Million Fine
In January, a jury ordered the former president to pay Carroll $83.3 million for defamation. A separate civil fraud trial concluded last month with a judge ordering Trump to pay the penalties that totaled at least $450 million.
The Carroll case judgment becoming final on Monday requires Trump to put up money in cash or bonds in order to keep it from being enforced amid appeals. The former president's attorneys previously filed a motion seeking to delay the judgment while their client appeals it or at least give him a chance to post a bond that is "a fraction of the amount of the judgment," according to the Washington Post.
On Wednesday, the former president's attorneys filed a request to postpone any payment of the penalties until three business days after the court rules on the motion. They wrote that making Trump post a bond before the court rules on the stay motion "threatens to impose irreparable injury in the form of substantial costs."
U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan denied the Trump attorneys' request on Thursday. In a brief order, the judge, who oversaw the Carroll case, was dismissive of the former president's claims about incurring costs. He wrote that the Republican businessman's team has not yet shown what expenses he could incur if he had to post a bond.
The judge also suggested that the defendant's "current situation" was self-inflicted, writing that the former president has had since Jan. 26 to organize his finances. Kaplan continued that despite that, Trump waited 25 days after the verdict on the case to ask for a stay amid his post-trial motions.
Donald Trump's Legal Challenges
Trump spokesman Steven Cheung issued a statement criticizing Kaplan's order, saying that it was a continuation of a "totally lawless witch hunt." He added that his client filed a timely motion to stay the ridiculous judgment, said CNBC.
Cheung argued that there are many courts, such as the Second Circuit federal appeals court, that recognize the importance of temporary administrative stays while such motions are being considered. He said that they are looking forward to continuing to litigate the case and complete vindication of the truth of the matter.
The situation comes a few days after the former president's lawyers filed for a new trial in the E. Jean Carroll case. They argued that the court limited the former president's testimony during last month's trial. They also argued that statements the Republican businessman made about the writer's allegations were meant to "defend his reputation, protect his family, and defend his Presidency."
Last year, a federal jury in New York City decided that the former president was not liable for rape but that he was liable for sexual abuse and defamation. In that trial, Trump was ordered to pay $5 million, according to Fox News.
